Biomass Week - December 16, 2016

EIA begins monthly reporting of wood pellet data The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published the initial results of a new survey launched in January 2016 to gather information on wood pellets and other densified biomass production, sales and inventory. READ MORE SHARE
Denmark's largest power station replaces coal with wood pellets For the past 18 months, Avedøre Power Station has been converting its coal-fired power station unit, and the entire combined-heat-and-power plant is now able to produce electricity and heat based on wood pellets and straw, rather than coal and gas. READ MORE SHARE
	Trump nominates Perry to lead the Department of Energy President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Rick Perry, a former governor of Texas, to serve as Secretary of Energy. The nomination is subject to approval by the U.S. Senate. READ MORE SHARE
Survey: Voters against shifting RFS point of obligation A recent survey has determined the majority of American voters believe that shifting the point of obligation under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) from refiners to wholesalers and fuel retailers would harm the economy and Americans. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva Partners completes Sampson drop-down acquisition Enviva Partners LP has completed the previously announced acquisition of the Sampson plant in North Carolina and associated off-take contracts from Enviva Holdings LP’s joint venture with affiliates of John Hancock Life Insurance Co. READ MORE SHARE
ETI: Survey reveals public support for bioenergy in the UK A recent survey found strong public support for the production of bioenergy in the U.K., from both biomass and waste. Approximately 80 percent of respondents were in favor of bioenergy playing a bigger role in the country’s energy mix. READ MORE SHARE
NREL releases 2015 renewable energy data book The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released its 2015 Renewable Energy Data Book. The report includes data on bioenergy capacity and electricity generation, along with data on biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. READ MORE SHARE
Blue Sphere lands biogas plant subsidy from Dutch government Blue Sphere Corp. has scored Netherlands government support for development of a biogas facility in Sterksel. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency awarded the company’s wholly owned subsidiary a 12-year, €39.5 million subsidy. READ MORE SHARE
Fuels America letter urges Trump’s continued support for the RFS On Dec. 15, members of Fuels America sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump congratulating him on the election and noting they look forward to working with his administration to implement the renewable fuel standard (RFS). READ MORE SHARE
EPA amends Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule The U.S. EPA has published a final rule amending specific provisions of its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule with the goal of streamlining and improving implementation of the rule and improving the quality and consistency of data collected. READ MORE SHARE
BEV to invest $1 billion in clean energy technologies On Dec. 12, members of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in Breakthrough Energy Ventures, an investor-led fund that will finance emerging energy breakthroughs. READ MORE SHARE
Pinnacle, NORDEN sign contract for transport of wood pellets Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S has announced a nine-year contract to transport pellets for Canada-based Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. Under the contract, NORDEN will transport wood pellets from western Canada to Europe beginning in 2018. READ MORE SHARE
EC approves French support scheme for biogas On Dec. 12, the European Commission confirmed that four French support schemes for renewable energy are in line with Eruopean Union state aid rules. One of the four schemes focuses on biogas projects. READ MORE SHARE
Waste washing unit takes shape at REnescience plant In February 2016, construction of the first full-scale REnescience plant commenced, with the plant is scheduled for commissioning in spring 2017. Currently, there is plenty of activity at the project site and the plant is starting to take shape. READ MORE SHARE
Wheelabrator Parc Adfer facility achieves financial close Wheelabrator Technologies recently reached financial close on a new 220,000-ton-per-year energy recovery facility, with construction to commence in January 2017 on the Deeside Industrial Park in Flintshire, North Wales. READ MORE SHARE
Chevron makes equity investment in Novvi Chevron Products Co., a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., and Novvi LLC recently announced that Chevron has made an equity investment into Novvi LLC, a joint venture of Amyris Inc., Cosan S.A., and American Refining Group. READ MORE SHARE
Lygos closes $13 million in venture financing Lygos Inc. recently announced the closing of $13 million in Series A financing led by IA Ventures and OS Fund. Other investors include First Round Capital, the Y Combinator Continuity Fund, 50 Years and Vast Ventures, along with angel investors. READ MORE SHARE
Global Bioenergies discusses demo plant, future strategy Global Bioenergies has announced it is now entering the final phase of demonstrating its technology for converting renewable carbon into hydrocarbons, with the first production of green isobutene recently observed. READ MORE SHARE
Switchgrass may be option for farmers who have lost topsoil A study from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources has found that switchgrass improves soil quality and can be grown on farms that have lost fertile topsoil. READ MORE SHARE